Austin Carr
Austin Carr (born March 10, 1948) is an American former professional basketball player and longtime television color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).[1] A 6-foot-4-inch (1.93 m) shooting guard, he was selected as the first overall pick in the 1971 NBA draft by the Cavaliers after a stellar college career at the University of Notre Dame, where he established himself as one of the program's all-time leading scorers.[1][2] Over 10 NBA seasons primarily with Cleveland, he earned All-Star honors and became a fan favorite, later transitioning into broadcasting where he has served as a full-time TV analyst for the Cavaliers since 1997, known for his enthusiastic and passionate commentary.[1][3] Carr's college career at Notre Dame from 1967 to 1971 was marked by exceptional scoring prowess, culminating in a career average of 34.6 points per game across 74 appearances, which ranks second in NCAA history for points per game.[2] In his junior and senior seasons, he averaged 38.1 and 38.0 points per game, respectively, earning consensus All-America first-team honors in 1971 and second-team recognition in 1970, along with the Associated Press Player of the Year award as a senior.[2] His scoring feats helped elevate Notre Dame's profile in college basketball, though the Fighting Irish did not advance to the Final Four during his tenure.[2] In the NBA, Carr played for the Cavaliers (1971–1980), Dallas Mavericks (1980–1981), and Washington Bullets (1980–1981), appearing in 682 regular-season games with career averages of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.[1] He was named to the 1974 NBA All-Star Game and earned first-team All-Rookie honors in the 1971–72 season, despite being hampered by injuries throughout his career that limited his durability.[1] Nicknamed "Mr. Cavalier" for his loyalty and impact on the franchise during its early years, Carr remains deeply associated with the Cavaliers organization, contributing to its cultural identity both on and off the court.[3] As a broadcaster, Carr has become an iconic voice for Cavaliers fans, delivering high-energy analysis with signature phrases like "Get that weak stuff outta here!" during exciting plays.[3] Entering his 28th season with the team in 2025, he continues to call select games on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, blending his playing experience with a homeristic style that resonates with audiences. In recent years, including the 2024-25 season, he has called a reduced number of games (such as 15), sharing duties with analysts like Brad Daugherty, as of 2025.[4][5] His enduring presence has solidified his status as a Cleveland sports legend, with inductions into halls of fame such as the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 recognizing his overall contributions to the sport.[6]Early life and education
High school career
Austin Carr was born on March 10, 1948, in Washington, D.C. Growing up in the city's River Terrace neighborhood, he developed an early passion for basketball, playing on local playgrounds and honing his skills from a young age.[1][7] Carr attended Holy Redeemer School for his early education before enrolling at Mackin Catholic High School, where he quickly emerged as a dominant force on the basketball team. Teaming up with fellow All-City guard Tom Little, he transformed Mackin into a competitive powerhouse in the City Catholic League. Over his high school career, Carr amassed 2,124 points, earning recognition as a prep All-American for his scoring prowess and overall impact.[1][6][8] As a three-time All-Metro selection from 1965 to 1967, Carr's junior and senior seasons showcased his rapid development into one of the area's top talents. In his junior year (1965-66), he averaged approximately 19.8 points per game, totaling 475 points across 24 contests and establishing himself as a reliable offensive leader. His senior campaign (1966-67) elevated his game further, where he averaged around 24 points per game en route to 600 points, including standout performances in crucial league matchups that highlighted his shooting accuracy and court vision. These efforts helped lead Mackin to the City Catholic League championship in 1967, capping a remarkable high school tenure.[9][10] Carr's exceptional play drew widespread attention from college recruiters, resulting in scholarship offers from over 100 programs nationwide. Influenced by his Catholic upbringing and Mackin's Jesuit tradition, he committed to the University of Notre Dame, setting the stage for his collegiate career.[11]College career
Austin Carr enrolled at the University of Notre Dame in 1967, where he quickly established himself as a standout player during his sophomore season in 1968–69, leading the team in scoring with an average of 22.1 points per game over 16 appearances.[2] His performance helped Notre Dame achieve a 19–6 regular-season record and secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament, though the Fighting Irish fell in the first round to Miami (OH).[2] In his junior year of 1969–70, Carr elevated his game dramatically, averaging 38.1 points and 8.3 rebounds per game across 29 contests while shooting 55.6% from the field, earning him consensus second-team All-American honors.[2] He led the nation in scoring that season with 1,106 total points, powering Notre Dame to a 21–8 overall record and another NCAA Tournament appearance, where he set a single-game record with 61 points against Ohio in the first round.[12][13] Carr's senior campaign in 1970–71 was equally dominant, as he averaged 38.0 points per game and received consensus first-team All-American recognition, finishing second nationally in scoring behind Johnny Neumann.[2] A highlight was Notre Dame's 89–82 upset victory over top-ranked UCLA on January 23, 1971, where Carr scored 46 points to end the Bruins' 19-game winning streak; the team finished 20–9 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.[13][14] Over his three-year varsity career, Carr amassed 2,560 points at an average of 34.6 per game, setting Notre Dame records for total points, scoring average, and single-game output that remain unmatched, while contributing to three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths—the first in school history.[13]Professional basketball career
NBA draft and rookie season
Austin Carr was selected as the first overall pick by the expansion Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1971 NBA Draft, following a standout college career at Notre Dame where he set NCAA Tournament scoring records that positioned him as a top prospect.[15][16] Carr's rookie season was hampered by injuries, including a broken foot sustained during preseason that caused him to miss the first 16 games.[17] He made his NBA debut on November 16, 1971, against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 5 points in a 108-90 loss while logging just 9 minutes off the bench.[18] Despite the setbacks, including a second foot injury later in the year, Carr appeared in 43 games, averaging 21.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 42.6% from the field.[1][19] Transitioning to the NBA's increased physicality proved challenging for the 6-foot-4 guard, who had thrived on finesse and scoring volume in college, but he adapted by leveraging his quickness and shooting to become the Cavaliers' leading scorer as a rookie.[20] His performance earned him a spot on the 1971-72 NBA All-Rookie First Team, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.[21] As the cornerstone of the young Cavaliers franchise in its second NBA season, Carr provided offensive spark to a team that finished 23-59 and struggled with defensive woes, helping to establish early team identity amid the expansion roster's inexperience.[22]Peak performance and playoff highlights
Carr's peak performance came during the early to mid-1970s, where he established himself as a prolific scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging over 20 points per game in the 1972–73 and 1973–74 seasons. In 1972–73, he appeared in all 82 games, posting 20.5 points per game while contributing 3.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists.[1] His scoring prowess peaked in 1973–74, when he averaged a career-high 21.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists over 81 games, shooting 45.5% from the field and earning selection to the Eastern Conference All-Star team—his only such honor.[1] Although limited to just five minutes in the 1974 All-Star Game, where he scored zero points on 0-for-4 shooting, the nod underscored his status as one of the league's emerging offensive threats.[23] The 1974–75 season marked a turning point due to injuries, as Carr played only 41 games and averaged 14.5 points before suffering a knee injury in December that required surgery and sidelined him indefinitely, causing him to miss the Cavaliers' first playoff appearance.[1][24] He returned in 1975–76 after rehabilitation, contributing to the team's first winning record (49–33) and Central Division title, though his scoring dipped to 10.1 points over 65 games as he adjusted post-injury.[1] These injury setbacks disrupted his consistency but did not diminish his role in Cleveland's rising contention. Carr's postseason highlights defined this era, particularly the iconic 1976 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Bullets, dubbed the "Miracle of Richfield" for the Cavaliers' improbable 4–3 upset victory in a series featuring three buzzer-beating finishes and intense home-court drama at Richfield Coliseum.[25] Averaging 9.3 points in seven games against Washington, Carr provided key scoring off the bench upon his return from knee surgery, helping secure the franchise's first playoff series win with contributions in double figures during critical moments.[26] The Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals but fell to the Boston Celtics 4–2, where Carr elevated his play to 14.8 points per game over six contests, including a standout 26-point effort on 11-of-17 shooting in Game 4.[26][27] The Cavaliers returned to the playoffs in 1977 and 1978, extending their streak of appearances during Carr's prime years. In 1977, they lost 2–1 to the Bullets in the first round (best-of-three format), with Carr averaging 7.7 points in three games.[26] The 1978 postseason saw a first-round sweep by the New York Knicks (0–2), though Carr averaged 17.5 points in limited action across two games.[26] These runs, building on his rookie-year scoring foundation, highlighted Carr's resilience amid injuries and cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in Cleveland's early playoff success.[1]Later career and retirement
Carr's performance began to wane in the late 1970s due to recurring knee injuries that had plagued him since the mid-1970s, resulting in reduced playing time and scoring averages below 15 points per game by the 1979–80 season.[1] These injuries included multiple surgeries on his right knee and foot, which diminished his explosiveness and led to inconsistent minutes despite his earlier All-Star caliber play.[28] In 1979–80 with the Cavaliers, he appeared in 77 games but averaged just 11.8 points in 20.7 minutes per game, a sharp drop from his prior seasons.[1] Following the 1979–80 season, Carr was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA expansion draft on May 28, 1980.[29] His stint with Dallas was brief, as he played only 8 games, averaging 2.0 points in limited 9.6 minutes per game, before being traded to the Washington Bullets on November 6, 1980, for future considerations.[30] With the Bullets, Carr suited up for 39 games in the 1980–81 season, contributing 4.9 points per game in 14.9 minutes, as his injury-riddled body struggled to keep pace.[1] The 1980–81 campaign marked Carr's final NBA season; he was waived by the Bullets on August 31, 1981, and retired at age 33.[29] Across 10 professional seasons, Carr played 682 regular-season games (635 with the Cavaliers), where persistent knee issues took a significant physical toll, forcing him to compete "on a leg and a half" after his initial major injury.[1] In reflections shortly after retirement, he described the mental devastation of losing a step to the knee problems and lamented not sustaining his early-career dominance for the latter part of his tenure.[20]Career statistics and records
Regular season
Austin Carr's NBA regular season career spanned 10 seasons from 1971 to 1981, primarily with the Cleveland Cavaliers, during which he appeared in 682 games, scoring a total of 10,473 points while collecting 1,990 rebounds and 1,908 assists.[1] His per-game averages stood at 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, reflecting his role as a prolific scoring guard who contributed efficiently to team offenses.[1] These totals underscore his consistency despite injuries that limited his playing time in several seasons, establishing him as a key offensive weapon for the Cavaliers during their early development years.[1] A year-by-year breakdown highlights Carr's scoring peaks in his early career, followed by fluctuations due to injuries and role changes. The table below summarizes key regular season statistics, including games played (G), minutes per game (MPG), field goal percentage (FG%), free throw percentage (FT%), and points per game (PPG).[1]| Season | Team(s) | G | MPG | FG% | FT% | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–72 | CLE | 43 | 35.8 | .426 | .760 | 21.2 |
| 1972–73 | CLE | 82 | 37.8 | .446 | .822 | 20.5 |
| 1973–74 | CLE | 81 | 38.3 | .445 | .856 | 21.9 |
| 1974–75 | CLE | 41 | 26.4 | .468 | .840 | 14.5 |
| 1975–76 | CLE | 65 | 19.7 | .442 | .791 | 10.1 |
| 1976–77 | CLE | 82 | 29.4 | .457 | .795 | 16.2 |
| 1977–78 | CLE | 82 | 26.7 | .438 | .813 | 12.3 |
| 1978–79 | CLE | 82 | 33.1 | .475 | .816 | 17.0 |
| 1979–80 | CLE | 77 | 20.7 | .465 | .738 | 11.8 |
| 1980–81 | DAL/WSH | 47 | 14.0 | .372 | .630 | 4.4 |
| Career | 682 | 28.8 | .449 | .803 | 15.4 |